Client Case Study
Cans That Finally
Look the Part.
Bright Brewery had been through the evolution most brewers know well, chasing a look on their cans that actually held up to how fast they move. Somewhere along the way, labels stopped being the answer. We caught up with the team behind Bright’s cans to hear what actually pushed the switch, and what’s changed since.
Thinking About Making the Switch Yourself?
Get Your Free Sample PackWhy the Switch?
For Bright, it came down to two things: simplicity, and how the cans looked.
“The move to digital cans for us has been about simplicity and ease of manufacturing, along with the fact that they look better.”
There’s a real cost difference between a printed can and a blank can with a label. Bright doesn’t shy away from that. But the maths adds up differently once you look past the per-can price.
“It’s a greater cost for a printed can vs blank and label, but we have made up for that through increased efficiency and canning speeds, due to no line stoppages from the labeller.”
No labeller means no labeller problems. Fewer stoppages, faster runs, and a canning day that doesn’t hinge on a machine behaving itself.
The Tipping Point
Ask Bright what finally got them thinking seriously about digital print, and the answer’s blunt.
“Labels were too volatile.”
No dramatic story, no single bad batch. Just the accumulated weight of a packaging method that kept introducing risk into a process that should’ve been simple.
More Room to Create
Digital print didn’t just solve a production problem, it opened up a bit more room to play.
“The only change I can think of is that we can now get a print onto the neck of the can, and we get a little bit more space for artwork.”
And there’s one finish in particular Bright keeps coming back to:
“I do love the cans that come through with metallic elements. That’s something I think labels couldn’t really compete with at the time.”
Where They’ve Landed
Looking back at the full journey, from early cans to now, one thing stands out above the rest.
“It looks more professional, consistent, and worthy of the value we need to charge for the end product.”
That’s really the throughline. Not a dramatic reinvention, just cans that finally match the beer, and the price, they were always meant to carry.
Since 2005
Brewing in the High Country
80+ Staff
Independent & Locally Employed
↑ Volume
Growth Since Partnering With ECC
The Full Story
About Bright Brewery
Founded in 2005 by Scott Brandon and friends in two humble tin sheds in Victoria’s High Country, Bright Brewery has grown into one of Australia’s most loved independent craft breweries. They brew with pristine mountain water and hops grown right in the Ovens Valley, MountainCrafted beer that celebrates the outdoors and the community that surrounds it.
Today, Bright Brewery is an independent, family-owned business employing over 80 locals, with seating for 500+, a thriving events calendar, and a beer range that keeps on growing. Authentic, sustainable, active, and inclusive, they’re the real deal.
The Challenge
Bright Brewery had a clear goal: move away from glass bottles and printed labels, and find a canning partner with real design flexibility and minimum order quantities that worked for a craft operation. As their range expanded, so did the complexity, more SKUs, more design updates, tighter timelines.
“Quick and flexible can designs with affordable MOQs. We wanted to move away from glass and from labels as well.”
— Brewery Operations Manager, Bright Brewery
Why East Coast Canning & Printing
The relationship started through a trusted connection, and what’s kept it going is what happens day to day. From the online ordering platform to the partnership itself, working with ECC has been described simply as “pretty good and pretty easy.” In the middle of running a busy brewery, that’s exactly what you need from a supplier.
Flexibility
Late orders, last-minute artwork changes, evolving SKUs, ECC absorbs it all without friction, moving with Bright Brewery as their business grows.
Ease of Ordering
The ECC online platform makes managing orders straightforward, giving the Bright Brewery ops team one less thing to think about.
The Results
Since partnering with ECC, Bright Brewery’s volume has grown, which has meant more orders, more SKUs, and a more complex packaging operation to manage. ECC has moved with them every step of the way.
“Being flexible enough to deal with our late ordering, our ordering changes, late artwork updates, that’s what sticks out.”
— Brewery Operations Manager, Bright Brewery
When asked what they’d tell another brewery considering ECC, the answer was simple: “I’d be happy to recommend ECC to other breweries.” No prompting. No qualifications. Just a straightforward endorsement from someone who knows what good looks like.
